While still in his teens, Randy Matson established his dominance as a shot putter and discus thrower. As a senior in high school, he had the second longest shot put and third longest discus throws in the history of these events. The following year, while a freshman at Texas A&M, Matson won the first of his six National AAU shot put titles.
Later that year, he finished second to fellow Hall of Famer Dallas Long at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics. During that competition, Matson set a short-lived Olympic record when he threw 66' 3 1/4" to take the lead, only to have Long surpass him with a throw of 66' 8 1/2". In 1965, Matson became the first athlete to break the 70' barrier when he threw the shot 70' 7 1/4". He again broke the world record in 1967 with 71' 5 1/4", his career best, and in 1968 won the gold medal. He barely missed making the 1972 Olympic team when he placed fourth at the Trials. A four-time national collegiate champion in both the shot and discus, he also played basketball in college. Matson won the 1967 Sullivan Award as the nation's top amateur athlete.